I'm searching for mp3s that have scroll wheel control, like in the iPod Classic (click wheel) and Zune 4-120 (Zune pad).

I've had a Zen MX for a year, and its tactile controls (even with the "alphabet list") are aggravating when browsing through 16 GB of songs. Full touch screens, however, aggravate me more.* I'd prefer to quickly fly down a list of songs and also be able to click play.

By "scroll wheel," it doesn't have to be an iPod knock off - just some type of touch/tactile hybrid that will allow me to browse through music fast.

Buying a Zune would solve this problem, but the price is a little intimidating. Are there any other alternatives?

Thank you!

*What aggravates me most are those touch screen D-pads. In its compromise, it adopts the worst features of each.

Your post focuses on a single feature, tactile controls. You would be more likely to get meaningful recommendations if you supply more information. Here's a good outline of what's needed to get decent feedback. There's also a couple of lists of players that are well regarded. Since your location isn't in your profile you might want to include that in the info you list. No sense in getting recommendations for items you can't get your hands on.

It seems as if you've done some research all ready. Besides the Zune what other DAPs/PMPs have you considered? You mention a click wheel type tactile control but I find my Sony NWZ E345 very easy to navigate with it's "Mickey Mouse" style button-wheel setup. It took a bit to get used to operating it in my pocket. There's not a lot of tactile clues as to what your pushing at first. It didn't take a tremendous amount of time to get used to it though and I control it blind quite easily now.

"Your post focuses on a single feature, tactile controls. You would be more likely to get meaningful recommendations if you supply more information."

Tactile/touch controls is the only feature that I'm interested in right now. I assume there aren't very many mp3s that do have tactile/touch controls, and of the ones that might be suggested in this thread, I'll whittle it down.

The problem is that I could only find the Zune and iPod as examples of tactile/touch controls (my Google skills are not that great...)